Instructional Videos: Top Tips for Becoming a Makeup Expert Online

You love experimenting with new makeup looks, and your makeup always looks professional, yet never overdone. Why not share your expertise with the world? By showing off your makeup tips, you could establish yourself as an online makeup expert.

With time and patience, you could become the next YouTube or Vimeo sensation, with hundreds or even thousands of fans using services like YTD to download your latest updates. By following a few techniques, you can ensure that your videos look professional and show off your efforts in the best possible light.

Get the Best Video Equipment You Can Afford

There is no need to drain your bank account to buy top-of-the-line equipment. However, you shouldn’t settle for the very cheapest camera either. Fortunately, flip video cameras are very reasonably priced and produce good-looking videos. Likewise, you should definitely purchase a separate microphone to ensure good sound quality for your videos. A tripod to keep the camera steady is also a must.

Proper Staging and Lighting Are Essential

You may be shooting your videos from your own bedroom, and that’s fine. However, your bed should be made and the room should be reasonably tidy. Set your makeup out so that you can access it easily while you are explaining your makeup techniques. Play unobtrusive background music to set the mood and ensure that the lighting for your video is sufficiently bright but not too harsh.

Keep Your Videos Short and Simple

No matter how skilled you are, almost no one will want to watch you spend an hour putting you entire hair and makeup look together. Instead, break up your presentations into short segments of 10 or 15 minutes. Focus on one technique at a time – for instance, devote one segment to creating a smoky eye and use another segment to discuss matching cheek and lip colors for different skin tones.

Know Your Target Audience

Most viewers of how-to makeup videos are teenage girls and young women in their early to mid twenties. However, if you do not fit this demographic, no worries. There are definitely audiences available for makeup videos targeted to niche audiences. For instance, many mature women would appreciate viewing makeup application techniques. Likewise, makeup videos targeting women of color or makeup applications to hide birthmarks or scars can also find appreciative audiences.

Create Special Social Media and Email Accounts

If you really start to build up a following, you should start receiving feedback from fans. Interacting with viewers is a great way to build your reputation as an expert. However, you should maintain the privacy of your personal email and social media accounts. You can accomplish this goal by setting up separate profiles on several social media platforms. Google+, Facebook and Pinterest each make it easy to establish “business” accounts. You should also set up a dedicated email account to handle correspondence.

Keep Up With Makeup Trends

No matter how good you are at makeup application, you won’t be taken seriously as an expert unless you show that you are aware of the latest trends. You don’t necessarily have to use every technique out there. However, your videos should reflect changing makeup techniques. Don’t be afraid to mix and match brands, but stick to good quality brand name and drug store makeup. You should also include your personal recommendations about makeup brands without sounding like a commercial.